This past week, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz’s office seized an unlicensed mobile cannabis dispensary, known as “The Green Empress,” on the corner of 43rd Street and Queens Boulevard in Sunnyside. The confiscated product from the truck was not only unlicensed and unregulated, but it was also heavily marketed toward children with names such as “Skittles” and “Gummy Sharks,” and packaging nearly identical to snacks popular with school children. The vehicle’s owner was charged with unlawful sale and unlawful possession of cannabis for allegedly operating the illegal business.
Unlicensed marijuana sellers have become the subject of numerous community complaints, because the unregulated product often targets our young people and has actually sickened customers. Such dispensaries also evade paying taxes that go toward public services and undercut legal vendors who prioritize safety and compliance. The DA pledges to continue to crack down on illegal dispensaries that pose a serious threat to public health.
